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Massachusetts General Hospital is the recipient of the 2014 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award and the Target: Stroke Honor Roll. These awards, sponsored by the American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association, recognize hospitals that provide the highest quality stroke care.

Mass General recognized for stroke care

14/May/2014

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The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association have recognized Massachusetts General Hospital for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by both associations for the treatment of stroke patients.

The Get With The Guidelines®(GWTG)-Stroke Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award honor hospitals that maintain an 85% or higher adherence to stroke guidelines for two or more consecutive years. These evidence-based guidelines are designed to ensure stroke patients receive the best possible care. Mass General achieved Plus Level by fulfilling at least 75% of additional, optional quality measures.

Mass General attained the Target: Stroke Honor Roll designation by achieving a door-to-needle (DTN) time of 60 minutes or less for 50% of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA)-eligible patients. TPA is a protein that breaks down blood clots, which are hardened pieces of blood that can develop in the body. When a blood clot disrupts blood flow to the brain, a stroke occurs. Quick treatment is important in saving lives and reducing the amount of damage to the brain.

“The GWTG Gold Plus award and the Target Stroke Honor Roll are awarded to hospitals that deliver the highest rates of evidence-based stroke care and the most rapid delivery of TPA,” says Lee Schwamm, MD, executive vice chairman of the Department of Neurology and director of the Mass General Stroke Service. “The Mass General Stroke Service is so proud of this recognition and so grateful to the multidisciplinary staff of the of the Mass General Fireman Vascular Center and the Emergency Department, who provide fast, quality care to our patients every day.”